Compare towns

Hampden vs Springfield vs Hubbardston

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hampden has the shortest commute (26 min average).
Springfield has the most people working from home (16.7%).
Hubbardston has grown the fastest since 2010 (-1.2%).

What matters to you?

Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.

MeasureHampdenSpringfieldHubbardston
People
Population
4,946Highest
1,122Lowest
4,371
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.4%
U.S.: +7.4%
-4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
-1.2%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
50.9±3.3
31% above U.S.
51.4±8.8Highest
32% above U.S.
46.8±9.1Lowest
20% above U.S.
Springfield and Hampden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
14%±3.5Lowest
U.S.: 22%
15.1%±8
U.S.: 22%
17.8%±4Highest
U.S.: 22%
Hubbardston and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26.8%±5.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.8%±1.6Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.5%±4.3
U.S.: 17.2%
Hampden and Hubbardston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
36.9%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
36.4%
U.S.: 35.7%
33.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.6%±1.8Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
0%±1.5Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.1%±2
U.S.: 6.4%
Hampden and Hubbardston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$104,536±$16k
29% above U.S.
$100,893±$19kLowest
25% above U.S.
$123,500±$24kHighest
53% above U.S.
Hubbardston and Hampden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$358,200±$16kLowest
8% above U.S.
$384,100±$50kHighest
15% above U.S.
$371,600±$18k
12% above U.S.
Springfield and Hubbardston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,132±$107Highest
20% below U.S.
$1,096±$217
22% below U.S.
$953±$206Lowest
33% below U.S.
Hampden and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,181Highest
98% above U.S.
$5,946
91% above U.S.
$4,716Lowest
51% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
36.9%±42.4
U.S.: 51.1%
25.9%±64.8Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
55.4%±67.1Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Hubbardston and Hampden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
3.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
4.3%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
94.9%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
90.7%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
93.5%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1966Lowest
14 yrs older than U.S.
1985
5 yrs newer than U.S.
1986Highest
6 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
about the U.S. average
34 min
30% above U.S.
36 minHighest
36% above U.S.
Work from home
9.9%±3.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
16.7%±11.6Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
14%±4.3
U.S.: 15.1%
Springfield and Hubbardston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #199 of 282 in MA — #128 of 282 in MA
School district Hampden-Wilbraham — Quabbin
High school in town None in town — None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

U.S. average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.